Agenda - 10-08-2013 - 5 - Laserfiche WebLink

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35 Inventory and Standardization of Fire Department Software /Equipment: Currently, Orange County is undergoing an inventory of fire department software in use by its volunteer organizations. As the County works with the various departments, it is important to consider the use of standardized software and hardware between the fire departments and the County Emergency Management Services. The utilization of one standard software package will allow data to be shared without substantial manual data entry, and will also allow Emergency Management to work more closely with the departments by utilizing data analytics and predictive analysis. Connectivity and Network Extension: Fiber and wireless networks are the future of the public sector. As the County continues to expand its service locations and increase service provision, it is essential that investments in capital technology infrastructure are included in such extensions. Clearly, fiber investments are critical to Orange County, in terms of connecting geographically dispersed governmental buildings and should be planned and budgeted for, as part of the capital budgeting process. It is especially critical to consider the installation of fiber loops across the county, particularly to remote locations, for redundancy, continuity of business operations, and public safety. As new facilities are built for the County, IT requirements, such as fiber optics, should be included at the onset of planning. It should be noted that this network infrastructure is specifically related to County government operations and is not part of the larger strategy to increase broadband access to Orange County residents. In areas where there is limited network connectivity or cost - prohibitive fiber installation, wireless investments (Wi -Fi, Wi -Max, or licensed spectrum point -to- point) may prove to be more cost - effective than fiber. In addition, the interest in the mobile workforce, as expressed by many departments, requires the utilization of existing wireless networks or the creation of new networks dedicated to public sector utilization. A variety of efforts at the federal level are increasing the opportunities for local governments to access dedicated public sector spectrum for use in the creation of such wireless networks. The application of wireless networks has demonstrated an incredible return on investment, in terms of man hours and citizen perceptions. As the network extensions occur, mobile applications that run on wireless networks should be increasingly procured. Network and PC Replacement: The County should continue to invest in PC and network equipment refreshment and replacement to ensure that that County remains on a stable, supported infrastructure. Replacement of hardware and equipment (PC, server, and network) is considered to be routine maintenance and is often funded from a Capital Improvement Fund. Following an industry standard replacement cycle is critical to maintaining warranties, as well as equipping County staff with sufficient infrastructure to support their increasingly technology- dependent work. 33